1) The Heavens and the Earth

Introduction to Module Three

With this insightful module, we will embark on a profound journey into the heart of the Jewish narrative. Delve into the foundational concepts shaping the worldview, starting with the creation story that sets the stage for the unfolding narrative. Unravel the intricate connection between the heavens and the earth, contemplating their tangible and continuous nature. As the biblical perspective unveils the heavens' physicality and distinct functions, this lesson challenges preconceived notions, inviting readers to reimagine their understanding of the cosmos. Join this exploration, laying the groundwork for a deeper comprehension of God's intricate relationship with the heavens and the earth in the upcoming post. I curated this lesson using content from John Harrigan’s book, The Gospel of Christ Crucified: A Theology of Suffering before Glory.

Introduction to the Creational Category of Redemption

Within the creational category of redemptive history, we have to lay some groundwork regarding how the Jewish narrative viewed the world around them, the playing field on which the narrative unfolds. This begins with the creation story, where God creates the heavens and the earth. He then fills this creation with the "players" that will star in the narrative. In this module, we will look at the story of creation and see how it relates to the Jewish worldview and how it relates to the redemptive narrative. 

Understanding the world is challenging because we're stuck in the world we're trying to make sense of. None of us can step outside our existence, so our perspective is always limited to what's happening inside us. It's like we're all living in a fishbowl. Imagine asking ten fish to describe the bowl they live in – each fish would give you a different take. To complicate things, we're like those fish: our understanding is limited because we're often unaware, ignorant, and blind to many things. It's like trying to see through murky green water. The whole situation is described in terms of how we are all destined to die in this world and the idea that things around us are messed up and need a major cleanup. 

Romans 8:20 describes the idea that the entire creation, or the world, has been subjected to a state of corruption, not by its own choice but by an external force (referred to as "him who subjected it"). However, there is hope expressed in the expectation that this creation will eventually be liberated from its corrupted state and achieve freedom that aligns with the glory of the children of God. In Christian theology, this often refers to the belief in the ultimate redemption and restoration of the world through divine intervention:

For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. (Romans 8:20, ESV Bible)

Throughout history, people have grappled with understanding their existence. Some push the boundaries of what one can perceive or understand through their sensory experiences. Others engage in endless philosophical discussions, breaking down the intricacies of the world around us. Some seek knowledge beyond their immediate surroundings. However, the challenge arises as different sources offer conflicting perspectives. Some sources we put our trust in to better understand the world around us do not lead us to the truth.

Some of us humans consider ourselves practical and realistic. They define the world in terms of what can be seen, measured, tested, and thus comprehended. Interestingly, those who consider themselves "practical and realistic" often mock those who approach life with a "religious" mindset. Religious people are seen as believing in "superstitions" and are thought to accept truths based on no evidence or proof. Like fish in a bowl, humans construct various worldviews to explain the nature and function of their existence. 

The Heavens and the Earth

The Bible describes the totality of existence in its first verse:

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1, ESV Bible)

The heavens and the earth, and all things within, are understood to make up "all things" to exist:

Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: "I am the LORD, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself (Isaiah 44:24, ESV Bible)

All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3, ESV Bible)

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. (Colossians 1:16, ESV Bible)

But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (Hebrews 1:2, ESV Bible)

For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. (Hebrews 2:10, ESV Bible)

"Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created." (Revelation 4:11, ESV Bible)

The Scriptures often mention the heavens and the earth as the primary stage where God, humans, angels, demons, plants, and animals interact. However, this description doesn't suggest a mystical separation between these realms. Instead, it's a way of categorizing them based on function and governance. As the psalmist puts it:

The heavens are the LORD's heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man. (Psalm 115:16, ESV Bible)

This verse from Psalm 115 emphasizes a distinction in roles rather than a literal divide between the heavenly and earthly domains. The verses following Genesis 1:1 describe how the heavens and the earth were formed:

On day one, the Spirit of God hovered over the "waters," and light was created:

The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. (Genesis 2-5, ESV Bible)

On the second day, according to the biblical account, God created a "space amid the waters": 

And God said, "Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters." (Genesis 1:6, ESV Bible)

Despite attempts by some to interpret the text differently, this "space or expanse" is essentially identified with the term "heavens":

And God called the expanse Heaven. (Genesis 1:8, ESV Bible)

In simpler terms, it suggests that the heavens were brought into existence within the midst of the waters. Contrary to the idea of a solid "dome over the earth," the concept of the expanse or heavens is better understood as the cosmic "space amid the waters." This refers to the space between the eternal cosmic waters and the earth's waters, often described as "the water planet." Consequently, it's not just the earth depicted as being "formed out of water and through water" (2 Peter 3:5), but the entire cosmos is thought to be shaped and surrounded by water.

For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, (2 Peter 3:5, ESV Bible)

Stretching out the Heavens

The process of separating the waters above the "expanse" from the waters below and calling it "heavens" is elsewhere described as "stretching out the heavens":

Covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent. (Psalm 104:2, ESV Bible)

Who alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the sea; (Job 9:8, ESV Bible)

Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it (Isaiah 42:5, ESV Bible)

Thus says the LORD,  your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: “I am the LORD, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself, (Isaiah 44:24, ESV Bible)

I made the earth and created man on it; it was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host. (Isaiah 45:12, ESV Bible)

And have forgotten the LORD, your Maker,  who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth… (Isaiah 51:13, ESV Bible)

It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens. (Jeremiah 10:12, ESV Bible)

“It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens. (Jeremiah 51:15, ESV Bible)

The oracle of the word of the LORD concerning Israel: Thus declares the LORD, who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth and formed the spirit of man within him (Zechariah 12:1, ESV Bible)

The Plurality and Continuity of the Heavens

The heavens are described as plural throughout the Scriptures. The Hebrew word for heavens (shamayim) is used over four hundred times in the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), and it is always in the plural form. Moreover, the plural is sometimes used in tandem (shameh shamayim), "heaven of heavens," a poetic way of expressing "the highest heavens." The expression is often used in the Bible to convey the idea of the most holy realm, the highest heaven where God's presence is believed to dwell, which is often translated "height of the heavens" or "highest heavens" (NASB, NIV, NIT), referring to the region(s) of God's dwelling:

Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it. (Deuteronomy 10:14, ESV Bible)

“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built! (1 Kings 8:27, ESV Bible)

But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? (2 Chronicles 2:6, ESV Bible)

“But will God indeed dwell with man on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built! (2 Chronicles 6:18, ESV Bible)

“You are the LORD, you alone.  You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you. (Nehemiah 9:6, ESV Bible)

Praise him, you highest heavens,  and you waters above the heavens! (Psalm 148:4, ESV Bible)

Though the exact number of heavens is not stated explicitly in the Scriptures, Jewish tradition varies from three to ten. Within this plural framework, the heavens are also described in the Scriptures as continuous, meaning there are no rigid delineations between them. The heavens are the home of birds:

And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” (Genesis 1:20, ESV Bible)

Now out of the ground the LORD God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. (Genesis 2:19, ESV Bible)

And into whose hand he has given, wherever they dwell, the children of man, the beasts of the field, and the birds of the heavens, making you rule over them all (Daniel 2:38, ESV Bible)

Functions of the Heavens

The heavens are the home of the clouds, rain, snow and thunder:

The fountains of the deep and the windows of the heavens were closed, the rain from the heavens was restrained (Genesis 8:2, ESV Bible)

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout,  giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, (Isaiah 55:10, ESV Bible)

The heavens are the home of the sun, moon, and stars:

And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. (Genesis 1:14-18, ESV Bible)

And beware lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them, things that the LORD your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven. (Deuteronomy 4:19, ESV Bible)

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, (Psalm 8:3, ESV Bible)

The heavens are the home of spirits and powers:

On that day the LORD will punish the host of heaven, in heaven, and the kings of the earth, on the earth. (Isaiah 24:21, ESV Bible)

The heavens are the home of God himself:

Look down from your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless your people Israel and the ground that you have given us, as you swore to our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey.’ (Deuteronomy 26:15, ESV Bible)

And listen to the plea of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. And listen in heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive. (1 Kings 8:30, ESV Bible)

That he looked down from his holy height; from heaven the LORD looked at the earth, (Psalms 102:19, ESV Bible).

Look down from heaven and see, from your holy and beautiful habitation. (Isaiah 63:15, ESV Bible)

All these things function together in the heavens, and there are no clear lines of distinction between them. We do see the idea of the heavens described as being unique between different areas of the heavens. For example, Paul mentions the "third heaven":

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. (2 Corinthians 12:2, ESV Bible)

Moving Between Heaven and Earth

Continuity between the heavens allows for ease of movement within the heavens and between the heavens and the earth. Thus, God often "came down" to meet with people or evaluate their affairs:

And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. (Genesis 11:5, ESV Bible)

I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know.” (Genesis 11:5, ESV Bible)

For on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. (Exodus 19:11, ESV Bible)

Likewise, individuals such as Enoch and Elijah were "taken up" into the heavens:

And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. (2 Kings 2:11, ESV Bible)

Conversely, it was commonly expected that Elijah would come back down before the day of the Lord:

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. (Malachi 4:5, ESV Bible)

After Jesus was "taken up" before the disciples (Acts 1:2), two angels declared:

“Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11, ESV Bible)

This was not entirely abnormal for the disciples since movement between the heavens and the earth was familiar and logical. 

The Physicality of the Heavens

The heavens are also assumed to be inherently physical in nature. The heavens are tangible, substantial, and concrete. Audible sounds, voices, and songs (Isa. 6:3; 2 Cor. 12:4; Rev. 4-5). There are physical objects, such as thrones, altars, and thresholds (1 Kings 22:19-23; Isa. 6:1-7; Ezek. 1:25-28; Dan. 7:9-10). Furthermore, time exists in the various regions of the heavens (Rev. 8:1), which generally coincides with time on earth (cf. 1 Kings 22:19-23; Dan. 7:9-12; Rev. 11:18-19). This perspective leads to the conclusion that the physicality seen in the heavens is roughly analogous (though not equivalent) to the physicality known on Earth.

These plural, continuous, and physical heavens were universally understood as real locations, not symbolic "states of being." In addition, their relationship to the earth was positional. The heavens are "above" and the earth is "below" (cf. Gen. 6:17; Deut. 4:39; 1 Kings 8:23; Ps. 50:4; etc.).14 Accordingly, God "looks down" from the heavens upon his creation (Ps. 33:13; 53:2; cf. Deut. 26:15; Ps. 80:14; 102:19):

Look down from heaven and see, from your holy and beautiful habitation. (Isaiah 63:15, ESV Bible)

Summary

This post discusses the foundational concepts in the Jewish narrative related to the creation story, the worldview, and the understanding of the heavens and the earth. The biblical perspective on creation, the separation of heavens and earth, and the continuous, tangible nature of the heavens are explored. The physicality of the heavens, the distinctions in their functions, and their positional relationship with the earth are also examined. In the next post, we will explore God's relationship with the heavens and the earth.

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2) God’s Relationship with His Creation